By Jennifer Fiorillo
Mental Health
Jennifer Fiorillo
Most of us have the desire to be part of something bigger and maintain consistent connections to our friends, family and acquaintances. The world of social media has made it possible for us to do that and engage with others in ways that we couldn’t decades ago. Many popular social media platforms allow us to showcase our lives, meaningful memories and proud moments and stay in contact with people we otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to interact with in such personal ways. There are many benefits to staying connected and in contact with others that all of us are afforded through social media.
At the same time, the excess use of social media to connect and relate to others can become unhealthy, ultimately impacting mental health. A paper by Tammy Qiu at Stanford University in September 2021, titled A Psychiatrist’s Perspective on the Social Media Algorithms and Mental Health, argues the frequent use of social media can lead to social comparison that erodes self-esteem and leads to a depressed mood. Filters for photographs that give the illusion of people appearing more attractive and slender can contribute to distortions in body image and cyberbullying. Fear of missing out is a phenomenon that is common among social media users who are afraid of not being included or missing social events. Fear of missing out has been found to trigger social anxiety.
The prolonged use of social media has not only been identified as an issue for youth but also for adults. It was estimated that 5 to 10 percent of Americans meet the criteria for social media addiction based on a 2012 study conducted by Harvard University. This percentage is likely higher now that the number of social media platform users has exceeded 3 billion worldwide.
Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that involves excessive concern about social media that leads to lack of control with logging on and using these platforms. Addiction to social media can resemble substance use disorder because it can lead to a change in emotional state, induce a level of tolerance that leads to the need to increase its use over time and withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped.
Qiu’s paper described evidence that self-disclosure on social networking sites stimulates the same part of the brain as an addictive substance triggering the “reward” with an increase in dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that creates feelings of pleasure and satisfaction at higher levels.
An excessive user of social media who stops engaging can experience withdrawal and potentially serious symptoms such as irritability, anger, anxiety and depression. The preoccupation and time spent on social media can lead to interpersonal issues that include neglecting relationships, work and other responsibilities.
Most of us are familiar with the old adage, “everything in moderation.” Engagement in social media and networking can be a positive experience and offer benefits beyond the gratification of receiving many likes from a photo or post. Lasting friendships and meaningful connections have been developed over social media. If we become aware of our limits and when it might be time to pull back, then we can avoid paying the price for an obsession that can lead us down a problem road.
Jennifer Fiorillo, MBA, MPH is the president and CEO of Bridges Healthcare in Milford, and may be reached at Jfiorillo@bridgesmilford.org.